Securing assembly for supporting and selectively concealing an animal crate

ABSTRACT

A securing assembly for supporting an animal crate within an architectural structure and the animal crate may be selectively concealed. A platform supports the bottom surface of the crate and may be extended or retracted within the architectural structure. The securing assembly includes a track which is selectively secured to the architectural structure and the platform includes a mating flange for cooperating with the track. The platform includes a mount for the animal crate which permits the crate to be manipulated to extend and retract the platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to andthe benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 14/666,502 filed Mar. 24, 2015, whichclaims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/969,356, filed Mar. 24, 2014, which are incorporatedherein in entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Crates are used for domesticated animals, such as dogs, for a variety ofreasons. For example, dog crates are used both for training and safetydevices and can benefit the dog and the dog owner alike. Crates areoften used for dogs when they are left alone, when they are sleepingand, most commonly, for crate training. In fact, the primary purpose ofcrate training is for housetraining. Crate training uses a dog's naturalinstinct as a den animal. The crate becomes the dog's den and providesan ideal location to rest or take refuge from household activity. Dogsdo not like to soil their dens, or crates and, as a result, a dog learnsto control its bodily functions. The crate also limits access to therest of the house, particularly during the puppy stage. A crate is mosteffective when it is placed in an area of a house where the familyspends most of their time, such as the family room. However, theappearance of a crate in a family room or other room may be less thandesirable from an aesthetic standpoint. Moreover, it may be cumbersometo move the crate out of a room when it is not needed and when it isdesirable for the crate not to be seen. These shortcomings of prior artcrates are obviated by the present invention which provides a securingassembly for supporting a dog crate which is selectively concealedwithin an architectural structure, such as a cabinet or furniturearticle, so as not to negatively impact the aesthetics of the room. Thesecuring assembly may be utilized in a variety of architecturalstructures and may be permanently or removably secured thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a crate assembly isprovided including an animal crate and a crate securing assembly. Theanimal crate includes a door assembly which is vertically raised andlowered within vertical tracks. The securing assembly includes aplatform which is slideably moveable from an extended and retractedposition. The platform includes securing members for cooperating with asupport preferably in the form of a track which may be mounted to anarchitectural structure.

According to the invention, the door assembly, permitting ingress andegress of the animal, varies in configuration and in its connection tothe securing members of the door assembly. The door assembly includesvertical tracks which extend along the crate front, adjacent sidemembers thereof. The door of the door assembly includes an upper andlower portion which are hingedly connected to one another wherein thedoor may be raised and the upper portion may lay substantially flat uponthe crate top when the platform is in the extended position. Accordingto one aspect, the crate door is pliable and the connection of the doorto the tracks includes a track which extends vertically along the frontface of the crate and horizontally along the top face of the crate. Sidemembers, preferably in the form of a bush roller chain, is moveablyalong the length of the track wherein the door is raised and remainsflush with the crate at various heights. As such, the platform need tobe extended for the door to be raised. According to various aspects ofthe present invention, the crate may be fixedly secured to the platformor removably secured thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the instantinvention and together with the description, serve to explain, withoutlimitation, the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the selectively concealed animal cratepositioned within an article of furniture;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article of furniture with the animalcrate concealed by the article of furniture;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the animal crate in a fully extendedposition and not concealed by the article of furniture;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the stop for supporting thecrate door in at least a partially opened position;

FIG. 5 is side elevation view of the animal crate, removed from thearticle of furniture with the crate door in an intermediate position andshowing additional positions;

FIG. 6 a perspective view of the crate assembly in an extended positionand having the door assembly opened to provide interior access to thecrate;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the securing member for securing theanimal crate to the supporting platform;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the platform according to another aspectfor securing the animal crate within the article of furniture;

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded view of the track and platformconnection;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an animal crate according to anotheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the animal crate of FIG. 10 with thedoor in a fully opened position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of crate door track and side member;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the animal crate with an outwardlyfacing track according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the track and side member of the crateof FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the platform for supporting the animalcrate in a fully extended position; and

FIG. 14B is a view of the platform of FIG. 14A supporting an animalcrate thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter byreference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended tobe limited to the embodiments described; rather, this detaileddescription is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to makeand practice.

The present invention is directed to a securing assembly for supportingan animal crate assembly 1 including an animal crate 10 to anarchitectural structure 12. The animal crate 10 is particularlybeneficial to house a domestic animal (e.g., a dog or cat), which may beselectively concealed or obscured from view by an article of furniture12 or other architectural structure. As used herein, the term“architectural structure” may be any structure, such as an article offurniture or a more permanent structure, such as a cabinet. The animalcrate may be concealed within its environment by the article offurniture or other structure within which it is housed. As shown in thevarious Figures, the present invention is used in combination with atable 12. The size, and hence use/type of furniture within anenvironment, may vary depending upon the size of the animal to use thecrate. For example, a crate for a very large dog will be used inconnection with a large article of furniture (e.g., a sofa or diningtable) or other structure as compared with a crate for a smaller animalthat may be used in connection with an end table. Alternatively, it isenvisioned that aspects of the present invention may by employed withmore permanent structures, such as cabinetry or other housing structureswherein the securing assembly and the crate are provided without thearchitectural structure and/or cover disclosed herein. For the purposesof the discussion which follows, the dog crate according to the presentinvention is used in combination with a table (an end table).

The present invention includes a novel animal crate 10 and novelsecuring assembly for positioning and securing the animal crate 10within the article of furniture 12. It includes means for selectivelymoving the crate between a first retracted position wherein the crate isconcealed by the furniture and a second extended position wherein thecrate is not obscured from view by the furniture. The present inventionalso includes a novel crate door assembly 26 and a novel securingassembly for mounting the door assembly 26 to the crate 10.

As shown in the various Figures, the animal crate 10 is a four-sidedcrate comprising horizontal and vertical bars defining the top, bottomand three side walls. The crate 10 according to the present inventionalso includes a novel door assembly 26 described in more detail belowaccording to various aspects. As is known in the art, the crate 10 mayinclude a removable tray which serves as the base of the crate and uponwhich the animal is situated. As shown, a cushion 13 may be providedupon the removable tray. The animal crate assembly 1 according to thepresent invention includes a platform 14 for supporting the animal crate10. As disclosed herein, the platform 14 and crate 10 may be secured toone another or, according to an alternative aspect, the crate 10 may bereadily removed from the platform 14 for a myriad of reasons, such as toutilize the crate 10 independent of the table or removed for cleaning.

FIG. 2 illustrates the crate 10 in a fully concealed position beneaththe table 12. As shown, the table includes a flexible, e.g. fabric,skirt 45 which covers the table frame 12 and substantially conceals theanimal crate assembly 1 including the animal crate 10. Preferably, theskirt 45 includes an unsecured medial panel 46 and side panels. Thisenables the platform 14 to be moveable between the retracted andconcealed position (FIG. 2) extended position (FIG. 3) and positionsbetween the two. In the retracted position, the crate assembly 1 issubstantially concealed from view. The crate may nonetheless be accessedby the animal in the retracted positioned due to the configuration ofthe access panel defined by the medial 46 and side panels 47 of theskirt 45. An animal may walk through the openings defined by theunsecured medial panel and side panels of the skirt when the crate dooris raised, even when the crate is fully concealed beneath the furniture.The fully concealed position may be particularly desirable when theanimal is not in the crate 10 or when the animal is in the crate and itis desirous to provide an enclosed housing, such as for sleeping. It maybe desirable to extend the crate 10 from beneath the table 12 tofacilitate greater circulation for the animal while in the crate 10, aswell as easier access and ability to clean the skirt 45 and the crate10. In either position, the crate door may be opened by lifting thehandle 36 which lifts the door until the upper panel portion rests flushwith the top of the crate 10 as explained more fully below. Thisconfiguration enables less clearance with the furniture 12 facilitatinggreater obscurity. Furthermore, it provides desirable clearances withinthe environment (that is, no swinging doors extending into a room) ineither position.

FIG. 1 depicts the crate assembly 1 wherein the crate 10 and platform 14are positioned in a retracted position with the skirt 45 lifted so as toexpose the crate 10. This position may be particularly desirable whenthe animal is housed within the crate 10 while providing ventilation andsight lines for the animal. FIG. 3 depicts the crate assembly 1 whereinthe crate 10 and the platform 14 are substantially extended from thetable 12 in an extended position. This position is particularlyadvantageous when the animal is housed in the crate to provide fullventilation from all sides, to open the crate door 25, to remove thecrate 10, or far a variety of other reasons.

A platform 14 is provided to support the animal crate 10 and tocooperate with the securing assembly to facilitate movement of theplatform 14 between the fully extended and fully retracted positions. Asshown in the various Figures, the securing assembly is mounted to atable 12, preferably, and includes an intermediate frame member 15 forcooperating with the architectural structure. Of course, a table 12 isshown as an exemplary use and the securing assembly may support thecrate 10 within any architectural structure, such as a cabinet or otheritem of furniture or structure. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, frame member15 extends longitudinally a length sufficient for extending along sidesurfaces of the table, e.g., between opposing front and rear legs. Ofcourse, if a different architectural structure were employed, the framemember 15 may be unnecessary. The securing assembly includes a firstslideable mounting member, in the form of a track 16. In use, the firstslideable mounting member may be operatively connected to a respectivesurface of the structure within which the crate assembly is housed toextend longitudinally along an inwardly facing side edge of the framemember 15 or directly to the structure. According to the illustratedassembly, a pair of frame members 15 and tracks 16 are provided onopposing sides of the table and extend between bottom portions ofopposing table legs. The track 16 includes a pair of parallel lips 18which define a channel 19.

As shown in FIG. 9, a wheel 17 is mounted to the fore end of the track16. The track 16 is configured to cooperate with a longitudinallyextending mating member 20 which extends outwardly from side edges ofthe platform 14. As shown, the mating member 20 includes at least onewheel 22 positioned adjacent the aft end of the platform side edge andpreferably also a flange 24. The flange 24 is configured to cooperatewith the frame track 16 and which extends substantially along the lengthof the platform 14. In operation, the platform 14 is inserted into theframe 15 by sliding the platform wheel 22 over the frame wheel 17 at aslight angle (relative to the horizontal). Once the platform wheel 22clears the frame wheel 17, the platform 14, in a substantiallyhorizontal position, is further slid in the aft direction. Thisconfiguration provides a stop for unintentional removal of the platform14 from the track 16 when sliding the platform 14 in the fore directionin that the platform 14 must be pulled upwardly to disengage thecooperating wheels.

A unitary flange 24 along side edges of the platform 14 is shown, but itwithin the scope of the present invention to have plural flanges or asingle or multiple pins positioned along the length of the platform sideedge and which are configured to cooperate with the track. Also, it iswithin the scope of the present invention to provide plural wheels alongthe length of the platform 14 side edges wherein no flange would beincluded. More than one wheel may also be provided along the track 16.

The flange 24 and track 16 may be formed of rigid materials known in theart such as plastic, rubber, metal or composite materials. As shown, theflange 24 and track 16 are formed of a plastic. Accordingly, sufficienttolerances are provided to enable the flange 24 or other mating memberto slide within the track 16. Preferably, one slideable mounting member16 is mounted on each of the two opposing sides of the frame 15 and amating member or furniture 12. It is within the scope of the presentinvention, however, for these to be reversed wherein the platformsupports the track and the mating member extends inwardly from the frameor furniture. It is also within the scope of the present invention toprovide a track which is secured directly to the furniture (or otherstructure) without the use of an intermediate frame. It is also withinthe scope of the present invention to provide a platform that extendsfrom any side of the table or in multiple directions.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the platform 14 is substantially flat and isgenerally planar. As such, the crate 10 is positioned upon the uppersurface of the platform. The crate is secured to the platform 14 bysuitable means, such as a plate 27 and one or more screw fasteners 28.

The frame member 15 and the platform 14 may be formed from any suitablematerial such as medium-density fiberboard or a plastic and the cratemay be formed of any suitable material such as coated or uncoated metalor plastic. As shown, the table 12 includes a top and four legs attachedon the inside, with a three-sided interior upper brace to ensurestability. At least the front is open to allow the crate and theplatform to be extended.

As shown in FIG. 8, the platform 14 is configured for removable receiptof the crate 10. The platform 14 defines a crate mount which, accordingto one aspect, is an aperture 48 configured for receipt of the animalcrate 10. The aperture 48 includes at least a pair of flanges 49 onopposing side edges of the aperture 48 for supporting the crate 10. Asshown, the at least pair of flanges 49 includes opposing fore and aftflanges 49. Inner surfaces of the apertures 48 adjacent the flanges 49define a cooperating member for cooperating with surfaces of the crate10 when the crate 10 is manipulated to slide the platform 14 inward oroutward. As shown, flanges 49 are on fore and aft edges of the aperture48, but they may also be on opposing side edges or on all edges ofaperture 48. Accordingly, the platform 14 may be fully or partiallyextended and the crate may be readily lifted off to be used independentof the crate assembly 1. This novel configuration, however, enables thecrate 10 to be pulled forward to extend the platform 14 while the crateengages the cooperating member defined by the aperture 48 so as not toslide off the platform 14 during sliding movement thereof.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a differently configured crate member inform of at least one, and preferably more than one, e.g., four as shown,upwardly extending projections 70. The projections 70 extend from anupper surface of the platform 14 and are configured to cooperate withand be received within openings defined by the crate bottom surface inthe form of a wire grid as shown. As shown the projections 70 aregenerally rectangular, e.g. square, but any shape may be employed so tobe received within the bottom crate surface. The height of theprojections 70 is sufficient to cooperate with the crate bottom wall butnot to interfere with the use of the crate 10 with a bottom tray and isconventionally used with a crate 10. Accordingly, the height of theprojections may be between 1/16 inches to 3 inches in height, such asbetween ½ inch and 2 inches in height. For example, as long as theheight of the projections is at least flush with the bottom surface ofthe crate 10, depending on the crate 10 thickness, the projection willprovide a cooperating member for cooperating with the crate 10. Asshown, the outer perimeter of the blocks 70 are similar in size to therespective individual square defined by the grid-like animal crate 10and relatively small amount of slip is permitted between the crate 10and the platform 14. The tolerances, therefore, are relatively small. Ofcourse, any tolerances may be provided between the blocks 70 and thebottom surface of the crate grid and the amount of slip permitted may beincreased. As such, the crate 10 may be manipulated to extend andretract the platform 14 without the crate 10 sliding substantiallyrelative to the platform 14. Additionally, the crate 10 may be readilylifted from the platform 14 without requiring mechanical manipulation toremove the crate.

The crate 10 includes a crate access wall 25, e.g., a fore wall, whichincludes a door assembly 26. One side of the crate, e.g., the fore wall,provides access to the crate interior. It is within the scope of thepresent invention for access to be provided on any side or the aft wallof the crate. According to the invention shown in FIGS. 1-6, the forewall includes fore wall side panels 30 on outer sides thereof, and thedoor assembly 26 is positioned between the side panels. The doorassembly includes at least one, and preferably two, vertical guides 32which extend vertically along medial edges of each of the side panels30. The door assembly further includes a medial door 34 positionedbetween the side panels. The medial door 34 is slideable within the sidepanel guides 32 and may be raised and lowered vertically to enableentrance into the crate as shown in FIG. 6.

A handle 36 is provided on the outer surface of door to facilitateraising and lowering the door. As shown in FIG. 4, a stop 38 in the formof at least one inwardly extending hook or extension is provided on thedoor panel, for example, adjacent the bottom edge of the upper doorpanel, to cooperate with the door frame and prevent unintentionalremoval of the door panel. The stop 38 is pivotally mounted to ahorizontal bar of the crate door assembly 26 as shown in the variousFigures. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the stop 38. As shown, thestop 38 remains non-engaged as the door assembly 26 is raised. As thedoor is raised to a predetermined height, at least one or more hookportions 39 may manually be engaged or be self-engaging with ahorizontally extending crate member or bar to sustain the verticalheight of the door assembly 26. This thereby secures the door assembly'sposition and prevent unintentional movement of the door assembly 26.Preferably, the stop 38 is positioned on the upper door panel 40. Todisengage the stop 38, it may be manually raised to release theengagement of the hook 39. It may be desirable, depending upon theclearances employed, to require that the stop 38 remain manually engagedto facilitate all movement of the door.

The door 34 comprises at least one and preferably two door panels 40,42. As shown, two panels are disclosed but it is within the scope of thepresent invention to provide more than two panels or a single panel. Asshown, upper and lower panels 40, 42 are provided and are secured to oneanother with a securing member 44 to permit angular movement of onerelative to the other, that is, the two panels may be bent relative toone another along the connection there between. Preferably the panelsare hingedly connected and pivotal movement of the upper panel 40 ispermitted in only one direction, that is, inwardly towards the aft endof the crate. As shown, the upper panel is at least twice as long (inheight) as the lower panel and, preferably more than 3 or 4 times aslong.

As shown in FIG. 1, the door assembly 26 is closed preventing ingress oregress into or from the crate 10. As such, the medial door 34 has beenpulled down within the vertical guides 32. To lift the medial door 34,handle 36 may be pulled upon so as to raise the medial door 34 withinthe vertical guides 32 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 5,once the connection between the upper 40 and lower 42 door panels raisesto the top of the vertical guides 32, it will be urged in the aftdirection until laying flush with the top of the crate 10 as shown inFIG. 6. This facilitates the platform 14 and crate 10 to be pushed inthe aft direction beneath the table 12 while enabling ingress and egressof the animal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the door assembly26 is differently configured as shown in FIGS. 10-13. The door assembly26 includes an access wall or door 50 which enables ingress and egressfor the animal. The door 50 includes vertically extending side members52 in the form of a bush roller chain 52. A plurality of horizontal bars53 extend between the side members 52. As shown in FIG. 12, the chain 52consists of a series of short cylindrical rollers 56 held together byside links 54. Adjacent links are secured to one another by overlappingside links 57 as is known in the art. The horizontal bar members of thedoor 60 may be secured to the sides of the side links 54, such assoldered thereto or other securing means as known in the art. Thisprovide a flexible side member 52 to facilitate a flexible door 50.

The side members 52 are positioned within and traverse the length oftracks 60 positioned along the front of the crate 10 as described above.The animal crate 10 further includes a pair of horizontally extendingtracks which extend along the top surface of the animal crate 10. Thevertical and horizontal tracks 60 are coextensive and continuous whereinthe side member chains 52 may traverse the length of both tracks. Thetracks 60 define a channel with an open surface facing inwardly. Assuch, the door 50 may be lifted while remaining flush with the crate 10in its various positions. This obviates the need to fully extend theplatform 14 from the table 12 to open the door of the animal crate 10.Rather, sufficient clearances are provided such that the door 50 may beopened while the crate remains beneath the table 12. FIG. 10 illustratesthe door 50 in a partially opened position and FIG. 11 illustrates thedoor 50 in a fully opened position.

An alternative track 60 is provided in the assembly illustrated in FIGS.13A and 13B. The tracks 60 define and outwardly facing channel and theside members 52 in the form of a bush roller chain extend along thelength thereof. A securing member 61 extends from the bush roller chain52 wherein the horizontal bars of the door 6 are secured thereto by aknown fastener or soldered. As shown, the securing member 61 defines anaperture for receiving the horizontal bar of the door, but the door barsmay also be soldered or otherwise connected to the chain 52.

The table includes a decorative outer member 45 having an access panelswhich are moveable from a first position exposing the crate to a secondposition enclosing the crate when the platform is in the retractedposition. As shown, the outer member is formed of fabric and the accesspanels are located on its fore side (but which may be provided on anyside of the table consistent with the crate door position) and includesa center opening defined by two side 46 panels and a medial panel 47.For conformity, preferably, this configuration is provided on all foursides. This configuration serves multiple purposes as described in moredetail below. Although a flexible fabric outer member is shown, it iswithin the scope of the present invention, for example if mounted withinfixed structures such as cabinetry, for only the front access panel tobe flexible. Another aspect includes a non-flexible front access panelwhich may be selectively opened such as by opening sideways, upwardly,or downwardly (not shown). It is also with the scope of the presentinvention to provide a removable front access panel or no panel (such asif the entrance is on the aft side of the table). The table may alsoinclude leveling members in the form of threaded feet to adjust theheight of the table and to balance the table.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above for thepurpose of disclosure, modifications to the disclosed embodiments mayoccur to those skilled in the art. The disclosure, therefore, is notlimited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be madewithout departing from its spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A securing assembly for an animal crate assemblyhoused within an architectural structure and for supporting an animalcrate having a bottom and side surfaces, said securing assemblycomprising: a platform configured for supporting the bottom surface ofthe animal crate and defining at least one crate mount and configured tocooperate with the bottom surface of the animal crate; at least onefirst, longitudinally extending mounting member configured forselectively connecting to the architectural structure and which definesan inwardly facing track; and at least one second mounting memberconnected to said platform adjacent a side edge thereof and configuredto cooperate with said first mounting member, wherein said firstmounting member wherein said track comprises a first wheel on a fore endof said track for cooperating with said second mounting member, saidsecond mounting member is configured to cooperate with said track topermit relative movement of said platform along the length of said firstmounting member and said second mounting member are matingly configuredto permit said platform to move between a first retracted position and asecond extended position wherein said platform is substantially extendedin the fore direction from said first mounting member wherein saidsecuring assembly is selectively connected to an architectural structureto house and to selectively conceal the animal crate.
 2. A securingassembly according to claim 1 wherein said assembly includes a pair ofsaid tracks and said second mounting member extends substantially alongthe length of opposing side edges of said platform to cooperate withsaid pair of tracks.
 3. A securing assembly according to claim 1 furthercomprising a stop for preventing unintentional removal of said secondmounting member from said first mounting member.
 4. A securing assemblyaccording to claim 3 where said stop is a second wheel positionedadjacent the aft end of said platform side edge for cooperating withsaid first wheel wherein said first and second wheel cooperate tofacilitate insertion of said platform into said first mounting member.5. A securing assembly according to claim 4 wherein said second wheel ispositioned on said platform behind, in the aft direction, said secondmounting member.
 6. A securing assembly according to claim 1 whereinsaid mating member is a flange which extends outwardly from and alongthe side edge of said platform.
 7. A securing assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said crate mount is defined by an upper surface of saidplatform defines for removably receiving the bottom surface of saidcrate.
 8. A securing assembly for an animal crate assembly housed withinan architectural structure and for supporting an animal crate having abottom and side surfaces, said securing assembly comprising: a platformconfigured for supporting the bottom surface of the animal crate anddefining at least one crate mount defined by an upper surface of saidplatform for removably receiving the bottom surface of said crate andconfigured to cooperate with the bottom surface of the animal cratewherein said crate mount includes an aperture comprising a pair ofopposing flanges and wherein said aperture is configured to receive atleast a portion of said bottom and side surfaces of said crate and saidcrate bottom surface is supported by said flanges; at least one first,longitudinally extending mounting member configured for selectivelyconnecting to the architectural structure and at least one secondmounting member connected to said platform adjacent a side edge thereofand configured to cooperate with said first mounting member, whereinsaid first mounting member and said second mounting member are matinglyconfigured to permit said platform to move between a first retractedposition and a second extended position wherein said platform issubstantially extended in the fore direction from said first mountingmember wherein said securing assembly is selectively connected to anarchitectural structure to house and to selectively conceal the animalcrate.
 9. A securing assembly according to claim 8 wherein said pair ofopposing flanges are opposing fore and aft flanges.
 10. A securingassembly for an animal crate assembly housed within an architecturalstructure and for supporting an animal crate having a bottom and sidesurfaces, said securing assembly comprising: a platform configured forsupporting the bottom surface of the animal crate and defining at leastone crate mount defined by an upper surface of said platform forremovably receiving the bottom surface of said crate and configured tocooperate with the bottom surface of the animal crate; wherein saidcrate mount comprises at least one projection extending upwardly from anupper surface of said animal crate platform wherein said at least oneprojection is configured to cooperate with the animal crate bottomsurface to prevent substantial relative movement of the crate in a foreand aft direction relative to the platform; at least one first,longitudinally extending mounting member configured for selectivelyconnecting to the architectural structure and at least one secondmounting member connected to said platform adjacent a side edge thereofand configured to cooperate with said first mounting member, whereinsaid first mounting member and said second mounting member are matinglyconfigured to permit said platform to move between a first retractedposition and a second extended position wherein said platform issubstantially extended in the fore direction from said first mountingmember wherein said securing assembly is selectively connected to anarchitectural structure to house and to selectively conceal the animalcrate.
 11. A securing assembly according to claim 10 wherein said atleast one projection is at least two projections.
 12. A securingassembly according to claim 11 wherein said at least two projections arepositioned on the platform adjacent one another.